[O take the sense, sweet, of my innocence;
Love takes the meaning in love's conference]
[Warburton wished to transpose "innocence" and "conference"] I am
by no means convinced of the necessity of this alteration. Lysander
in the language of love professes, that as they have one
heart, they shall have one bed; this Hernia thinks rather too
much, and intreats him to _lye further off_. Lysander answers,
_O take the sense, sweet, of my_ innocence.
understand _the meaning of my innocence_, or _my innocent meaning._
Let no suspicion of ill enter thy mind.
_Love takes the meaning, in love's_ conference.
In the conversation of those who are assured of each other's kindness,
not _suspicion_, but _love takes the meaning_. No malevolent
interpretation is to be made, but all is to be received in the sense
which _love_ can find, and which _love_ can dictate.
II.ii.89 (45,6) [my grace] My acceptableness, the favour that I can
gain. (1773)
II.ii.120 (46,7) [Reason becomes the marshal to my will] That is,
My will now follows reason.
III.i (48,3) In the time of Shakespeare, there were many companies
of players, sometimes five at the same time, contending for the
favour of the publick. Of these some were undoubtedly very unskilful
and very poor, and it is probable that the design of this
scene was to ridicule their ignorance, and the odd expedients to
which they might be driven by the want of proper decorations.
Bottom was perhaps the head of a rival house, and is therefore
honoured with an ass's head.
III.i.110 (52,8) [Through bog, through bush, through brake, through
bryer] Here are two syllables wanting. Perhaps, it was written,
_Through bog_, through mire,-------